Monday
Aug202012
Critical-Casts Episode 1: Dyad
Monday, August 20, 2012 at 9:38AM 
Please only share this link. This page contains important links and feedback questions.
Warning, this podcast contains explicit language.
DOWNLOAD HERE: Critical-Casts Episode 1: Dyad (62.4MB) [podomatic]
or
My 4 part review of Dyad
Reference Links
- dyadgame.com
- Dyad PSN Trailer
- Weekend Confirmed
- 8-4 Play Podcast
- Rev3Games
- IGN Dyad Review
- GameXplain
- Totally Rad Show
Feedback
I would really appreciate any feedback you can give. The questions below are a great way to contribute. Answer as many as you like. You can leave a comment below, or you can pick one of my contacts here. If you post any feedback elsewhere, do try to let me know where I can find it. Thanks.
- Would you like me to produce more Critical-Casts Episodes?
- Which would you enjoy more if I only had time to make one, blog articles or podcast episodes?
- Would you be interested in podcast episodes of topics I've already covered on this blog?
- Would you be interested in more interviews of game designers and gamers?
- Would you like me to produce episodes that focus on particular genres and game series (e.g. Mario or Zelda)?
- Would you be interested in more hard hitting content like debates or critiques of games, reviews, and other ideas in the gaming industry?
- How did you like the free flowing format of episode 1 Dyad?
- How was the energy level of the conversation in episode 1 Dyad?
- Was the background music during the speaking sections too loud?
- Did you play Dyad before reading my review articles or listening to the podcast? What do you think of Dyad now?
Time playing Dyad: ~16 hours. 23/26 trophies.
Time writing Dyad Review: ~24 hours. 12,238 words.
Time creating the Dyad Podcast Interview: ~20 hours. 1h8m14s.
Total: 60 hours.
Reader Comments (7)
Hey Richard,
I thought this was really great. Similar to A Life Well Wasted in the way you pieced it together. Music levels are great, no problems. I like how you use music and commentary from other podcasts and the background music, makes it feel very contemporary. I also like the way the podcast is a conduit to the other content too. I would forward this link to the Dyad community (if there is one) and see what they think.
More of these podcasts would be excellent. Regardless of whether you focus on one game, genre, guest etc, try to keep this "feature presentation" format. I think it's a great way to bring new readers to the site.
Would you like me to produce more Critical-Casts Episodes?
Sure.
Which would you enjoy more if I only had time to make one, blog articles or podcast episodes?
Hmmm..see, blog articles equal more content and less production. So, in that sense I'd personally favour blog posts, but I think podcasts, so long as you can get a real foothold on this area and get the word out etc, would be better building the site.
Would you be interested in podcast episodes of topics I've already covered on this blog?
Probably not, but like I said before, you gotta think of who your market is/what you'd prefer making. I've read a lot of this stuff before, maybe others haven't.
Would you be interested in more interviews of game designers and gamers?
Designers if possible.
Would you like me to produce episodes that focus on particular genres and game series (e.g. Mario or Zelda)?
Yeah. Would be topical and thematic. Preferably a game or series.
Would you be interested in more hard hitting content like debates or critiques of games, reviews, and other ideas in the gaming industry?
Unsure. I think there's enough review and comment out there already. Debates and critique, depending on how you frame them could work very well. Maybe try them from a different angle than 4 guys yelling at each other. Maybe have like an actual debating system. 2 people debating a topic and a moderator. Each side takes turns etc.
http://danielprimed.com/2010/11/a-video-game-model-for-teaching-debating/
How did you like the free flowing format of episode 1 Dyad?
Groovy. Suitable to the game. Would be interesting to see how you adapt this for other podcasts. Edit out all the fluff transitional commentary though, use music as short transitions and focus on the core meat of the discussion is good.
How was the energy level of the conversation in episode 1 Dyad?
Fine, I guess.
Was the background music during the speaking sections too loud?
No.
Did you play Dyad before reading my review articles or listening to the podcast?
My PS3 is in Australia, so I'll read the articles after I finish the game.
What do you think of Dyad now?
I'm interested to find out what all the fuss is about.
Nice work! I really enjoyed this. There were some great insights into thinking behind the game's creation in there which were really valuable and intriguing. Now on to the questions:
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Would you like me to produce more Critical-Casts Episodes?
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Absolutely!
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Which would you enjoy more if I only had time to make one, blog articles or podcast episodes?
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Wow, that's tough. I'd honestly have to save I'd rather see videos because I think that medium would combine the best that both articles and audio bring to the table. If I REALLY had to choose, I would say articles, just because they are faster to consume and have lots of visuals that would help the subject matter stick in my mind longer.
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Would you be interested in podcast episodes of topics I've already covered on this blog?
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Yes. Especially related to combat, interplay, and mechanics.
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Would you be interested in more interviews of game designers and gamers?
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Yes.
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Would you like me to produce episodes that focus on particular genres and game series (e.g. Mario or Zelda)?
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That sounds fine. I mean, as long as it's geared towards examining it to learn from or understand it. I'm personally big on fighting games and RPGs, but all games have something of interest to explore.
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Would you be interested in more hard hitting content like debates or critiques of games, reviews, and other ideas in the gaming industry?
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I'm not really big on debates and opinions so much as analysis and critique. I think debates are fine, but they seldom tend to be as insightful and are often filled will biases and limited perspectives. Analysis seems like it would be more generally useful and open to interpretation. But, that's just my opinion, of course :)
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How did you like the free flowing format of episode 1 Dyad?
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I thought it was fine for the type of interview it was. It seemed to match the tone and the theme of the content quite well. Normally I am a fan of structure though..
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How was the energy level of the conversation in episode 1 Dyad?
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A bit low, but that made things feel more casual. Not bad, just what it is.
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Was the background music during the speaking sections too loud?
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I didn't notice. I think sometimes the voices were a bit low. Maybe just turn the volume up on the vocals. I'm used to listening to the podcasts on "This American Life" and the voices are always loud and clear, so maybe I'm subconsciously comparing.
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Did you play Dyad before reading my review articles or listening to the podcast? What do you think of Dyad now?
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No, but now I'm totally interested in giving it a try. I'm going to download it now :)
Keep up the great work!
-Kaz
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed it! The edited format of it was really cool, as so many podcasts are just long discussions and come across as a little bit dry. This was nicely edited to emphasise certain points. One thing I really liked was the use of background music to illustrate a point, like the Wind Waker samples heard as you were describing it. For someone unfamiliar with WW, this is really useful.
All my answers to your questions above were basically "yes, make more".
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Would you like me to produce more Critical-Casts Episodes?
Yes. I found the episode to be engaging and really does start to get at the heart of the developer's ideas and wishes. More please.
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Would you be interested in more interviews of game designers and gamers?
Game designers - yes. Gamers - depends. I'm interested in conversations that tackle intentions vs. results and the space in between. I really like the dynamic between the two and how things move and change over time.
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Would you like me to produce episodes that focus on particular genres and game series (e.g. Mario or Zelda)?
Not necessarily. I find the fruits of the conversation more interesting than the specific topics of interest.
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Would you be interested in more hard hitting content like debates or critiques of games, reviews, and other ideas in the gaming industry?
Definitely. So long as their is a loose structure underpinning the debate format, I think that could be a fruitful conversation.
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How did you like the free flowing format of episode 1 Dyad?
It felt conversation, which was great for the conversation. The interstitial references to parts of the conversation gave it a bit more polish, which definitely helped.
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How was the energy level of the conversation in episode 1 Dyad?
Pretty good. I think I'd like to see you engage more on the responses of the designer, as certain sweeping claims were made without much pushback. However, a debate may help counter this issue if it's offered in future episodes.
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Was the background music during the speaking sections too loud?
I'm a sound person, so I'm picky. There were some balancing/panning issues in the editing and there was a bit of distortion with the microphone. I think the music is a nice touch, but I think it may have been too present. It could definitely be helpful at the beginning, in between when bringing in external audio clips and even at the end. Feel free to email if you want to discuss further!
Thanks,
George
Would you like me to produce more Critical-Casts Episodes?
absolutely
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Which would you enjoy more if I only had time to make one, blog articles or podcast episodes?
blog articles because you are able to use audio and video to support your writing which you have done in the past.
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Would you be interested in podcast episodes of topics I've already covered on this blog?
Sure because some of the topics you've covered, you've had to go back and clarify (like depth) or mention that you don't think that way anymore as is my experience with many of your early articles like on mechanics and abstractions.
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Would you be interested in more interviews of game designers and gamers?
yes, game designers more so but if the gamer is just as critical then why not.
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Would you like me to produce episodes that focus on particular genres and game series (e.g. Mario or Zelda)?
Yes, these specific topics offer us much to learn and explore.
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Would you be interested in more hard hitting content like debates or critiques of games, reviews, and other ideas in the gaming industry?
Yes. Debates allows us to look at differing perspectives along with how and why some people think certain things. Critiques, absolutely. Many of your insightful blog posts are how you dissect and analyze other games (ie Mario), reviews (Ian's review on Journey) and ideas in the industry (open world vs linear level design).
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How did you like the free flowing format of episode 1 Dyad?
Don't have much to say. I thought it was okay.
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How was the energy level of the conversation in episode 1 Dyad?
It was great. Shawn definitely talked and wasn't shy at all. However, I would've liked to hear more from you and the conversations that spawned between you two as Shawn was cut off near the end and also made brash opinions that I would've liked to known how he would've responded if you challenged them such as with Rhythm Action games.
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Was the background music during the speaking sections too loud?
I don't remember it being loud at all so no, not really.
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Did you play Dyad before reading my review articles or listening to the podcast? What do you think of Dyad now?
I played a demo of Dyad before your articles even came out. I feel like Dyad has a great core design but the way some levels are arranged made it button-mashing friendly as you pointed out in a later post.
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This is some great stuff you got here. You should share this on neogaf or Quarter to Three forums to receive some more feedback.
Pacing myself with listening to these podcasts, but better late than never right?
I haven't read the other comments yet, because I wanted to comment directly after the podcast while it's the only thing I'm thinking about. That being said, here's brief answer to the discussion questions- which I like having btw.
Yes more podcasts.
I'm lazy and prefer listening so podcasts if it were limited.
Yes, I would be delighted to see a series of podcasts covering the 101 series and other parts in an intersting way.
Yes, although it doesn't have to be alot from the same person, but it is interesting to see what they are thinking and how they react to critical-gaming.
I don't know. I suppose as long as I can relate to it even if I don't nessecarily like the game or play it then that would be ok.
Although it may boost ratings I would prefer not. I really liked Trigon and the way it helped understand games. There are probably only so many of those that can be produced in a short period, but I prefer listening to new insights and well thought out perspectives than heated arguments.
It's a good style.
It did rant quite a bit, but there wasn't a point where I was bored, and most of the time it got me thinking about differents games and how they are put together and played.
Only once somewhere near the beginning. The rest the volume level was enhancing but not overpowering.
Yes I had played Dyad. Briefly in a group setting.
I really like the game. What resonated with me was the comments about the game best being enjoyed alone in a dark room. I really don't like playing single player games and learning infront of other people. Infact there is something very personal about most video games. Something very unique where you expose your emotions and vulnerability to work through problems, and puzzles, timing and other gameplay. Infact its even hard to enjoy and be good at multiplayer games unless you have spent some one on one time with the game learning and progressing and coming to a personally learned and built understanding of the game. It may sound weird to a non-gamer but a relationship with a game.I don't want to do this with other people watching.
Some gamers are far more out-going and are willing to experience this on a group level. Examples here are Mario platform games. Hard to imagine but I have never played one. I played some of mario 64, but throw me into a multiplayer cooperative version in a room full of people and I won't enjoy myself as much as game I've played alot one on one. Any fighter game could be the same way. Memorization of the moves and learnign basic movement and attack and defense is usually a personal task. Then honing your skills while in battle doesn't have to be.
I felt the same with spelunky, I would play this game all day if I were alone and become as master at it. Then I would far more enjoy the group cooperative.
Going back to Dyad its a personal game, that was designed not by chance to give a unique personal experience to each person playing it. It would be conceptually very cool to have a multiplayer version of this which could add so much to the game as you work together to solve puzzles that only two experience solo players can solve.
I don't really have a main point, except I like and relate to the idea that the most you can get from this game is alone building a relationship with the ideas in the game. It's not true all the time, but I think games should be enjoyed alone first, and then in a group second.
@Travis
Interesting comments. Thanks for the feedback. Better late than never. True words.